scholarly journals Development of weight and height in Norwegian children: The Health Oriented Pedagogical Project (HOPP)

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (21_suppl) ◽  
pp. 3-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelica Skår ◽  
Trine Johansen Meza ◽  
Per Morten Fredriksen

Aims: High prevalence of overweight and obesity increases the disease burden with higher risk for an expanding set of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, certain types of cancers and an array of musculoskeletal disorders. Over the last decades, trends in children’s weight have changed worldwide. Methods: Anthropometric measurements of height and weight and calculations of body mass index (BMI) were recorded for 2297 children, aged 6–12 years. Results: Percentiles for weight and height are presented, as well as overweight and obesity cut-off points according to International Obesity Task Force guidelines for each age group. Children’s BMI is higher compared to older studies; however, a levelling-off of weight is evident, as 14–15% of the children are overweight in the present study. Children within the 90th and 97.5th percentiles display a higher annual increase in weight/height ratio compared to other percentiles. Parental level of education shows association with children’s BMI. Conclusions: A levelling-off of weight gain among children is evident; however, overweight children tend to gain more weight than normal-weight children.

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Rodrigues ◽  
Cristina Padez ◽  
Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues

Introduction: Central adiposity in children has increased to a higher degree than general adiposity however it is not a routine measurement in clinical practice. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal fat distribution and observe the prevalence of abdominal obesity among non-obese 6-10-year-old children.Material and Methods: Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured in a sample of 793 children (408 girls). International Obesity Task Force cut-offs were used to define overweight and obesity. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.50. Chi-square tests were used to observe the prevalence of the obesity indicators among boys and girls, and the relation between International Obesity Task Force cut-offs and abdominal obesity.Results: The prevalence of overweight, including obesity among children was 21.9% (18.9 – 25.0), 6.1% (4.2 – 8.0) were obese and 21.9% (18.6 – 25.0) had a waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.50. Girls had significantly higher prevalence of overweight, including obesity compared to boys (χ2 = 4.59, p = 0.03), but no differences were found for abdominal obesity according to children’s gender (χ2 = 3.32, p = 0.07). A proportion of normal (8.2%; 5.9 – 10.6) and overweight children (59.5%; 50.9 – 69.0) were abdominally obese.Discussion: The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity in children living in central Portugal is of concern. Many children with abdominal obesity would not be considered obese with the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points.Conclusion: A high proportion of abdominal obesity was observed in children with normal weight or overweight, suggesting that waist-to-height ratio should be included in routine clinical practice and might be particularly useful to assess the health status of the child.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 959-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Vanhelst ◽  
Jean-Benoît Baudelet ◽  
Paul S Fardy ◽  
Laurent Béghin ◽  
Jacques Mikulovic ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in French youth from 2009 to 2013 and to determine if there are differences in weight categories according to socio-economic status.DesignCross-sectional study performed in different regions of France. Physical measures included weight, height and BMI. Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points from the International Obesity Task Force.SettingFrance.SubjectsChildren and adolescents (n 9670; 4836 boys, 4834 girls) from the French national BOUGE Program between 2009 and 2013.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was higher in boys than girls (P<0·05). In contrast, underweight was more prevalent in girls (P<0·05). Although there were no significant changes in overweight or underweight boys or girls from 2009 to 2013, there was a significant increase in obesity in boys and girls (P<0·05) during the same time period. The prevalence of underweight increased in girls from 12·0 to 16·7 % (P >0·05) and remained unchanged in boys (7·1–7·3 %) between 2009 and 2013. Overweight and obesity were higher in low socio-economic families (P<0·0001).ConclusionsFindings suggest that the prevalence of overweight was stable although high in French children and adolescents, while the prevalence of obesity increased significantly. Changes in underweight, although not significant, were high in girls and merit further attention. Improving public health interventions, especially in high-risk low socio-economic populations, may help to modify the behaviour that contributes to underweight, overweight and obesity in young boys and girls.


2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 341
Author(s):  
Marcella Evangelista Melo ◽  
Giovanna Lima Miguéis ◽  
Mikaela Silva Almeida ◽  
Tatiane Dalamaria ◽  
Wagner De Jesus Pinto ◽  
...  

Introduction: In the diagnosis of overweight and obesity based on body mass index in children and adolescents, several national and international anthropometric references are recommended. However, there is a divergence in the estimated prevalence of overweight and obesity among the references. Objective: To identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to analyse the magnitude of agreement among the three references. Methods: A cross-sectional study with 975 students from the early grades of elementary school. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were estimated according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Conde and Monteiro. The Kappa weighted index was calculated to assess the agreement magnitude among the three references. Results: The highest prevalence of overweight and obesity was estimated by the Conde and Monteiro and WHO references, respectively. Overall, the IOTF revealed lower a magnitude of prevalence than the two other references. The agreement among the references identified by the Kappa index had a range of 0.66 to 0.94. Conclusion: Despite the satisfactory agreement among the three references, this research highlighted the differing magnitudes of the prevalence of overweight and obesity. This fact limits the ability to make comparisons among populations and impairs the development of overweight and obesity prevention actions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 3070-3077 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa Anne Fernandez ◽  
Stan Kubow ◽  
Katherine Gray-Donald ◽  
JaDon Knight ◽  
Pamela S Gaskin

AbstractObjectiveTo examine overweight and obesity (OWOB), changes in prevalence and potential risk factors in Barbadian children.DesignA cross-section of students were weighed and measured. The WHO BMI-for-age growth references (BAZ), the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth percentiles were used to determine OWOB prevalence. Harvard weight-for-height-for-age growth standards were used to estimate differences in OWOB prevalence from 1981 to 2010. Samples of parents and students were interviewed to describe correlates of OWOB.SettingBarbados.SubjectsPublic-school students (n580) in class 3.ResultsBased on WHO BAZ, the overall prevalence of OWOB was 34·8 % (95 % CI 30·9, 38·7 %). A trend of higher OWOB prevalence was seen for girls across cut-offs, with significant sex differences noted using the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. According to Harvard growth standards, OWOB has increased dramatically, from 8·52 % to 32·5 %. Children were more likely to be OWOB when annual household income was below BBD 9000 (OR=2·69; 95 % CI 1·21, 5·99). Eating dinner with the family every night was associated with a lower prevalence of OWOB (OR=0·56; 95 % CI 0·36, 0·87).ConclusionsThe sharp increase of OWOB rates in Barbados warrants attention. Sex disparities in OWOB prevalence may emerge at a young age. Promoting family meals may be a feasible option for OWOB prevention. Understanding familial and sociodemographic factors influencing OWOB will be useful in planning successful intervention or prevention programmes in Barbados.


2012 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 625-630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mercedes de Onis ◽  
Cecilia Martínez-Costa ◽  
Francisco Núñez ◽  
Georges Nguefack-Tsague ◽  
Angeles Montal ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the association between cardiovascular risk and childhood overweight and obesity using the BMI cut-offs recommended by the WHO.DesignChildren were classified as normal weight, overweight and obese according to the WHO BMI-for-age reference. Blood pressure, lipids, glucose, insulin, homeostasis model assessment–insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and uric acid levels were compared across BMI groups. ANOVA and tests of linearity were used to assess overall mean differences across groups. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were calculated for adverse plasma levels of biochemical variables.SettingPaediatric care centres.SubjectsChildren (n 149) aged 8–18 years.ResultsAbout 37 %, 22 % and 41 % of children were classified respectively as normal weight, overweight and obese. There were significant linear mean differences between BMI groups in systolic blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, TAG, insulin, HOMA-IR and uric acid. Obese children were 10·6 times more likely than normal-weight children to have hypertension; OR for other associations were 60·2 (high insulin), 39·5 (HOMA-IR), 27·9 (TAG), 16·0 (HDL-cholesterol), 4·3 (LDL-cholesterol) and 3·6 (uric acid). Overweight children were more likely than normal-weight children to have hypertension (OR = 3·5), high insulin (OR = 28·2), high HOMA-IR (OR = 23·3) and high TAG (OR = 16·1). Nearly 92 % and 57 % of the obese and overweight children, respectively, had one or more risk factor.ConclusionsObesity and overweight defined using the WHO BMI-for-age cut-offs identified children with higher metabolic and vascular risk. These results emphasize the importance of prevention of overweight and obesity in childhood to reduce cardiovascular risk.


Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 734
Author(s):  
Javier Albornoz-Guerrero ◽  
Rafael Zapata-Lamana ◽  
Daniel Reyes-Molina ◽  
Igor Cigarroa ◽  
Guillermo García Pérez de Sevilla ◽  
...  

Objective: To compare cardiovascular risk and cardiorespiratory capacity in schoolchildren from a region in the extreme south of Chile according to nutritional status and muscular strength. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 594 schoolchildren from 5th to 8th grade in the extreme south of Chile. Based on body mass index and lower limb muscle strength, participants were divided into four groups: high strength-normal weight, high strength-overweight/obese, low strength-normal weight, and low strength-overweight/obese. Then, waist-to-height ratio and cardiorespiratory capacity, measured with the 20 m shuttle run test, were assessed to determine their cardiovascular risk, comparing the four groups. Results: The overweight/obese group with high muscular strength presented better indicators in anthropometric variables (waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio) than their peers with low muscular strength. Additionally, the overweight/obese group with low muscular strength presented a lower cardiorespiratory capacity than their peers with high muscular strength. Both results were observed in boys and girls. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that overweight/obese schoolchildren with high muscle strength present healthier anthropometric indicators and greater cardiorespiratory capacity than their peers with low muscle strength. These results confirm the relevance of measuring muscle strength in schoolchildren and its usefulness to assess functionality. These results encourage the scientific community to continue studying the role that muscle strength plays in modulating the effects of overweight and obesity on respiratory and cardiovascular conditions in childhood.


2010 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Valente ◽  
Vitor Teixeira ◽  
Patricia Padrão ◽  
Mariana Bessa ◽  
Tânia Cordeiro ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption and overweight in children from a Mediterranean country.DesignThe children’s dietary intake was measured using a semi-quantitative FFQ completed by the parents. Overall, 2512 questionnaires were returned and 837 children were removed, leaving a final sample of 1675 children, aged between 5 and 10 years. Height and weight were measured according to international standards, and BMI was calculated. The definition of overweight and obesity was based on average centiles according to the International Obesity Task Force cut-offs. To determine the magnitude of the association between SSB consumption and overweight, OR estimates, including CI, were computed using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for confounders.SettingElementary schools throughout the city of Porto, Portugal.SubjectsWe invited 5867 children, randomly selected, and their parents to participate in the study. Of those schools that agreed to take part, 3391 parents signed and returned the fully filled out consent form.ResultsThe prevalence of overweight (including obesity) was 36·6 % for girls and 38·8 % for boys. With regard to SSB consumption (serving/d), no differences between with overweight and non-overweight children were found even after adjustment for confounders (1–2 servings/d: OR = 1·67, 95 % CI 0·76, 3·66, in girls; OR = 1·63, 95 % CI 0·76, 3·47, in boys; and >2 servings/d: OR = 0·63, 95 % CI 0·33, 1·22, in girls; OR = 0·64, 95 % CI 0·33, 1·52, in boys).ConclusionsThe intake of SSB was not associated with increased risk of overweight in Portuguese schoolchildren.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-25
Author(s):  
Ying-xiu Zhang ◽  
Jian Chen ◽  
Xiao-hui Liu

Abstract The prevalence of central obesity in total population has been reported in numerous studies. However, information on the prevalence of central obesity within normal category of body mass index (BMI) is scant. In the present study, we examined the profiles of central obesity among normal-weight children and adolescents. A total of 29 516 (14 226 boys and 15 290 girls) normal-weight children and adolescents (excluding underweight, overweight and obesity) aged 7–18 years were included in the final analysis. Central obesity was defined by the international age- and sex-specific cut-offs of waist circumference (WC) and threshold of waist-to-height ratio (WHtR≥0.5). All subjects were classified into four groups (Q1–Q4) according to the age- and sex-specific quartiles of BMI, those in the upper fourth (Q4) were defined as ‘high-normal BMI’, and those in the lower fourth (Q1) were defined as ‘low-normal BMI’. The prevalence of central obesity as measured by WC was 9.90% (95% CI 9.41–10.39%) for boys and 8.11% (95% CI 7.68–8.54%) for girls; by WHtR was 2.97% (95% CI 2.69–3.25%) for boys and 2.44% (95% CI 2.20–2.68%) for girls. Subjects in the ‘high-normal BMI’ group had a much higher prevalence of central obesity than their counterparts in the ‘low-normal BMI’ group (P<0.01). Central obesity was also evident among normal-weight children and adolescents. Our findings suggest that the health risks of children with normal-weight central obesity may be missed when BMI is used alone as a measure, it is meaningful to include WC in the clinical practice and to include the simple message “Keep your waist to less than half your height”.


Medicina ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 82
Author(s):  
Helena Karklina ◽  
Peteris Apinis ◽  
Liga Kalnina ◽  
Melita Sauka ◽  
Dzintars Mozgis ◽  
...  

Background and Objective. According to the data of epidemiologic research, the prevalence of both excessive and insufficient body weight is increasing in a pediatric population leading to the growing burden of health problems due to these changes. The aim of the study was to understand the current situation of physical development of 9- and 10-year-old boys and girls in Latvia and to estimate the prevalence of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity among young adolescents. Material and Methods. During 2007–2009, a random sample of healthy 9-year-old (n=184) and 10-year-old (n=320) children from all regions and different socioeconomic groups of Latvia was surveyed in a cross-sectional study. The anthropometric measurements of height, weight, 3 circumferences, and 5 skinfolds were performed. The percentage of body fat was calculated by the equation of Slaughter et al. Body mass index and fat mass index were calculated for each respondent. Children were divided into groups according to these indexes. At the age of 9 years, 69.5% of boys had a normal nutritional level either by BMI or FMI, and 54.5% and 72.2% of the girls of the same age had a normal nutritional level by BMI and by FMI, respectively. Obesity according to BMI in 9-year-old boys was found to be 4.7% and in girls 6.1%; according to FMI, 3.7% and 2.3%, respectively. A similar trend was also observed in the cohort of 10-year-old children. Conclusions. The results of the research showed that the problem of high prevalence of Latvian children with underweight is not smaller than the problem of children with obesity. Evaluation of physical development in children based only body mass index may lead to overdiagnosis of obesity.


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